Following is a question by the Hon Leung Che-cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, in the Legislative Council today (November 13):

Question:

     Regarding the parks, zoological and botanical gardens and children's playgrounds under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of (i) the population of children aged below 12, (ii) the total number of parks as well as zoological and botanical gardens, (iii) the total area of these two types of parks/gardens, and (iv) the number of inclusive play equipment provided therein, in each of the years 2015, 2017 and 2019, together with a breakdown by District Council (DC) district in the following table;
 

                                                                                                                       
(2) of the respective annual expenditure incurred by the LCSD on designing, building and repairing play equipment for children in 2014-2015, 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 financial years, together with a breakdown by DC district; and

(3) whether the LCSD has regularly reviewed the criteria for the provision of play equipment for children; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will conduct regular reviews?
 
Reply:

President,

     The reply to the three-part question raised by Hon Leung Che-cheung is as follows:

(1) The number and total site area of parks and playgrounds of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) (including the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens) and the number of venues provided with children's playground and inclusive play equipment in 2015, 2017 and 2019 with breakdown by District Council district are set out at Annex 1. The LCSD does not maintain information on the population under 12 in each district.

(2) Children's play equipment forms part of the facilities of parks and playgrounds. The LCSD does not have separate figures on the costs for the design and construction of children's play equipment. The maintenance costs of children's play equipment under the LCSD (including replacement of play equipment) in 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2018-19 with breakdown by District Council district are set out at Annex 2.

(3) The LCSD adopts a "universal play" concept in planning for play equipment with a view to providing inclusive, interesting and innovative play equipment to cater for the needs of children of different ages and abilities, as well as their parents. In designing facilities for individual venues, the LCSD and the relevant works department(s) will consider topographic features, site area and circumstances and views of the District Councils concerned, etc., and review the utilisation of children's play equipment in due course for improvement works.

     The consultancy study on the design of children's play spaces commissioned by the Architectural Services Department was completed. The consultancy study aimed at devising new design guidelines for children's play space, thereby providing challenging and interesting facilities in future children's play space in a safe environment for public enjoyment.

     The Government plans to transform more than 170 public play spaces managed by the LCSD across the territory over the next five years. The primary objective of the initiative is to enhance the facilities of children's playgrounds, providing children with more innovative and interesting play spaces. In the process of transforming the facilities, besides making reference to the consultancy study findings concerned, the LCSD will also encourage and promote community participation and engagement by adopting different means, such as workshops and opinion surveys to engage stakeholders, including pupils and parents of nearby schools, members of District Councils and relevant organisations, etc., and invite them to offer opinions. The LCSD will take note of and consolidate the opinions collected, and incorporate feasible and suitable designs and facilities into the play spaces. The LCSD will also offer different degrees of challenges and fun, introduce more natural elements in order to provide more innovative, challenging and interesting play spaces.

     Taking into consideration transportation service disruptions and to ensure the safety of patients and staff members, the Department of Health today (November 13) announced that Yau Ma Tei Methadone Clinic, Tuen Mun Methadone Clinic and Cheung Chau Methadone Clinic will not open today. Those who have been receiving methadone treatment there can receive their daily dose at other methadone clinics.

     Subject to the situation in other districts, the operating hours of other methadone clinics may also be adjusted today.

     Please visit the following website for information on methadone clinics: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc_mc.html

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (November 13) that due to the traffic situation and special circumstances which happened nearby, tennis courts of Shek Kip Mei Park in Sham Shui Po District; Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre in Kwun Tong District; Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin Town Hall, Sha Tin Public Library, Lek Yuen Public Library and Ma On Shan Public Library in Sha Tin District; Hong Kong Railway Museum and Tai Po Civic Centre in Tai Po District; Hong Kong Science Museum, Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Space Museum in Yau Tsim Mong District; Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum in Central and Western District; Sai Wan Ho Sports Centre and Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre in Eastern District; Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre in Wong Tai Sin District; Tsuen Wan Town Hall in Tsuen Wan District; Kwai Tsing Theatre in Kwai Tsing District; Yuen Long Theatre in Yuen Long District; North District Town Hall in North District; and Tuen Mun Town Hall in Tuen Mun District, are closed to ensure the safety of venue users. The department will closely monitor the situation and announce venue arrangements in a timely manner.

     Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same districts and any other district which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users. Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to contact the venues concerned or 1823 in advance.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

     "The Social Welfare Department announces that due to the unstable traffic and unforeseeable conditions, members of the public may decide, according to the situation, whether to take their children or family members to child care centres, centres providing after school care programmes, elderly services centres or day rehabilitation units, including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres and day activity centres. These centres will, however, remain open to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them."

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 13) announced that owing to disruptions in transportation services, some DH clinic services will be affected as staff cannot report duties on time. The department will try its best to resume service as soon as possible.
 
     If those with appointments may not be able to attend their scheduled consultation due to possible traffic disruptions at various districts, they can call the clinics to reschedule the appointments later. There is no need to worry and rush for the consultation appointments.

     Please visit the following website for the information of DH clinics: www.dh.gov.hk/english/tele/tele_chc/tele_chc.html.